Mothers: ambassadors to the future and our key to sustainability.

The other day, we had our first Y on Earth book club meeting, and I was struck by something.

There were about 12 of us in the discussion—10 men and two women. Both of the women are mothers. Sure, many of the men are fathers and had thoughtful questions, insights, and comments to contribute to our exploration of thriving and sustainability in this era of climate change and other planetary-scale systemic risks. Their contributions are appreciated to be sure!

But the two mothers brought something else entirely.

Something unique and powerful.

And it was uncanny how they seemed to represent and speak for a “super-mother” voice of sorts. They conveyed through their clear words an ability that many of us men might learn to better cultivate. They were able to hold and articulate the incredible depths of emotional pain connected with our species’ mistreatment of Mother Earth, while also possessing, sharing, and articulating a powerful light of hopefulness at the same time.

It was as if they were tapping into a great ocean of compassion for, and acknowledgement of, the pain and suffering in the world right now—among people, animals, plants, and the spirit of life here on planet Earth—while also conveying a powerful determination to continue forward, step-by-step, doing their part to make the world a better place. And to demonstrate that to their families, friends, and communities—in the quietly humble, yet emphatically unflappable commitment that is somehow unique to mothers.

What is this special power?

How do the rest of us non-mothers learn from it?

How do we best support this energy of love, wisdom, action, and steadfast optimism?

I’ve been asking these questions and reflecting on that discussion all week. And here’s what I’ve got so far. What if mothers really do have a special and mysterious capacity to tap in to the essential spirit of Gaia, of our Mother Earth? And what if we men are also able to show up as loving and loyal supporters of Gaia and of mothers? Heck, what if—not to get too far down the rabbit hole of Jungian psychology—we can also cultivate some of this “anima,” this feminine wisdom, in our own hearts, minds, and lives?

How might that change the world?

And what if, as we’ve already been seeing the past several months, the mothers of the world continue to rise up and speak their truths of deep compassion and courageous optimism—and we learn to follow this impulse of true leadership? It’s as if they—the mothers—are our ambassadors to the future we hope to attain. They are the ambassadors to a future of peace, joy, abundance, and prosperity.

What if we come to understand this as a deep and essential truth?

How might that create the conditions for the rapid transformation of our consciousness and culture, one that is requisite for the immediate reversal of climate change and the cessation of poisoning of our lands, waters, atmosphere, and each other? What if this is the key to the gateway, unlocking our ability to access and walk forward into a future of regeneration, reconciliation, forgiveness, and sustainability?

What if our futures all depend on it?

Mothers often do the food purchasing, value setting, and have a unique capacity for love, compassion, empathy, and selflessness.

I propose we all practice this and suggest an acronym to rally around: F.A.M.I.L.Y.That is, we acknowledge and say: Future Ambassador Mothers, I Love You!

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Aaron William Perry

Aaron William Perry is an author, social entrepreneur, and father. Perry provides executive consulting services to social and environmental impact businesses and organizations. Having founded and grown companies in the recycling, renewable energy, and natural food spaces, he has particular expertise in agriculture, energy, supply chain transparency, management, financial modeling, capital raising, and leadership. His background in philosophy, literature, sustainable development, and permaculture makes Perry a deeply perspicacious and thoughtful leader, mentor and student at this particular point of inflection we face as a culture and species on planet earth.

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